By Samantha Moll
While Boston offers a wide array of activities, many require more cash than a typical student is willing to part with. Used books, on the other hand, offer the perfect weekend afternoon or after-class adventure. Here are a handful:
Brookline Booksmith Located at 279 Harvard St., the Booksmith is a two-tiered reader’s wonderland, with new books on the first floor and used books downstairs. It regularly transforms into a venue for author readings and signings as part of its Writers and Readers series. Unless otherwise noted, these events are free and open to the public. Upcoming guests include Christopher Monks, who edits McSweeney’s Internet Tendency; New Yorker writer Ben Greenman; and Dan Kennedy, whose 2008 release “Rock On!” laid bare the bricks of the major music label where he used to be an executive (Jan. 22 at 7 p.m.). Comedian Eugene Mirman will be at the store Feb. 25, also at 7 p.m. For information on these events and others, go to BrooklineBooksmith.com . Boston Book Annex The Boston Book Annex has an ever-changing yet well-organized collection of used books at student-friendly prices. Situated between the Fenway and Brookline neighborhoods, at 906 Beacon St., the annex boasts about 100,000 titles in stock. Bibliophiles could easily get lost browsing those titles before they even make it inside: from carts on the street to a rich bargain room, there’s plenty to explore. For more information, visit RareBook.com.
Lorem Ipsum Books Lorem Ipsum Books, located at 157 Hampshire St. in Cambridge, had a two-pronged start: Hand-in-hand, it was a bookseller and software supplier for other independent book stores. The company’s software package, which is used today by some vendors around the world, gives smaller shops the perks of corporate tools: the ability to catalog their inventory and upload that information to sites like Amazon.com, for instance. Customers call Lorem Ipsum “the quirky bookstore in town,” said manager and co-founder Sara Theriault. Lorem Ipsum Books has also been known to hold live music performances and book readings, featuring guests like local pop-punk extraordinaire Yoni Gordon and author Jonathan Messinger. No events are on the calendar for 2009 yet, but keep an eye on LoremIpsumBooks.com. Brattle Book Shop Students interested in rare and antique books will find paradise at the Brattle Book Shop, located at 9 West Street. The three-story shop was established in 1825. The top floor is filled with antique books, maps and magazines. The bottom two floors are filled with inexpensive used books. In good weather, bookworms can search through the bargain stacks in the adjacent lot outside. The bookstore can be a little difficult to find the first time because it is on a side street in downtown Boston, but it is worth the adventure. For directions, visit BrattleBookShop.com.
